Duties
About the Office
By delegation from the Attorney General, the Assistant Attorney General in charge of the Office of Legal Counsel (OLC) provides legal advice to the President and all executive branch agencies. The Office provides written opinions and other advice in response to requests from the Attorney General, the Counsel to the President, the General Counsels of the various agencies of the Executive Branch, and other components of the Department of Justice. Such requests typically deal with legal issues of particular complexity and importance or those about which two or more agencies disagree. The Office is also responsible for reviewing and commenting on the constitutionality of pending legislation.
All executive orders and substantive proclamations proposed to be issued by the President are reviewed by OLC for form and legality, as are various other matters that require the President's formal approval.
The Office reviews all proposed orders of the Attorney General including regulations that require the Attorney General's approval. It also performs a variety of special assignments referred by the Attorney General or the Deputy Attorney General.
Job Description
The Office of Legal Counsel, U.S. Department of Justice, is seeking highly qualified attorneys to serve as Attorney-Advisers in Washington, D.C. The Office's principal function is to assist the Attorney General in fulfilling the role of legal adviser to the President and Executive Branch agencies. For more information, please visit OLC's internet website, http://www.usdoj.gov/olc/.
OLC's responsibilities include the following:
- Advising the Attorney General, the Counsel to the President, the General Counsels of executive departments and agencies, and the various components of the Department of Justice on constitutional and statutory matters;
- Resolving legal disputes within the Executive Branch through the issuance of authoritative legal opinions;
- Reviewing for constitutionality proposed legislation; and
- Reviewing for form and legality all executive orders and substantive proclamations and memoranda proposed to be issued by the President as well as all Attorney General Orders including regulations that require the Attorney General's approval.
Requirements
Conditions of employment
- You must be a United States Citizen or National.
- You will be required to complete a pre-employment security investigation and background check which includes a drug screening.
- You may be required to complete a one-year probationary period. See “Additional Information” section for further details.
- Selective Service registration is required for males born on, or after, December 31st 1959. Those not registered should have an approved exemption on file.
- Financial Disclosure: If selected, you may be required to disclose financial information in accordance with DOJ and Federal ethics guidelines.
Qualifications
Applicants must have a J.D. degree, be an active member of the bar (any jurisdiction) and have at least one year of post-J.D. legal experience.
OLC is highly selective in its hiring because OLC attorneys handle some of the most difficult and important legal issues confronting the Executive Branch. The ideal candidate would have exceptional academic credentials, a judicial clerkship or comparable experience, a strong background in constitutional law, outstanding legal research and writing skills, and the ability to obtain a Top-Secret security clearance.
Education
Applicants must have a J.D. degree.
Additional information
Salary
GS-0905-13 to 15$121,785 - $197,200 (Salary includes locality pay)
This position is subject to the availability of funds at the time a hiring decision is made.
Number of Positions
Many
Travel
Minimal travel required
Relocation Expenses
None
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.